Letter to Constituents

Statement

Letter to Constituents

Dear Friends,

I'm updating this report on a beautiful fall Sunday in Alabama. It's a great day for a lot of reasons. We are finally getting a break from the heat, and it's that time of the year when the leaves begin to dazzle us with the beauty of their true colors. This is truly one of many days that the Lord has made, and I thank Him every day for His many blessings. But today I have even more to thank Him for because the day before yesterday my wife, Sam, and I picked my oldest son, Gregory, up at the Atlanta Airport. We did that many times in the past few years when he would fly home from West Point, but this time he flew home from Iraq where he has been serving his country for the past six months. Like many other military families who have welcomed loved ones home, we have been on cloud nine for the past couple of days and probably will stay there until he has to get back on a plane in 16 days and return to Baghdad for the second part of his deployment. Second lieutenant Gregory Shaw is an armor officer assigned to the 7/10 Cav., 4th ID, out of Fort Hood Texas. He is a platoon leader and he and "his guys" patrol the streets of a neighborhood in southern Baghdad. They all are doing a magnificent job under difficult circumstances over there, and I believe that someday history will note that they, along with all of the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, won these wars with honor and made this country and the rest of the world a safer and better place in which to live. God bless all of them. I certainly hope that each of you will keep all of our military personnel, no matter where they may be stationed, in your daily prayers.

Well, the campaign is going very well. Lately, it has taken us to functions in Montgomery, Anniston, Auburn, and Enterprise. The BBQ at Henderson Park in Enterprise was a great event. Senator Jeff Sessions and Colonel "Bud" Day, Senator John McCain's cell mate in Vietnam, were again the keynote speakers. However, one of the biggest stars of the day wasn't even there, but her presence was surely felt--Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Since becoming John McCain's choice for Vice President, Governor Palin, or just Sarah, as she is known in Republican circles, has energized conservatives everywhere, especially here in Alabama. We also did some campaigning at the Auburn/LSU game yesterday. You meet some of the nicest people in the world at tailgate parties. Although the game didn't turn out the way we wanted, Sam and I got to fulfill one of Gregory's wishes while he is home -see an Auburn game! Also, I am getting ready to do a state-wide tour of Alabama. I will be accompanied by four other state-wide candidates, and we will be traveling on a rather large motor home with our pictures on the side! I really couldn't believe that my picture was on the side of a motor home until I actually saw it parked at the Auburn game yesterday. So, I hope you will be looking for us when we come to your part of the state. The purpose of this tour is to allow us to bring our campaigns to you, so that you can find out more about who we are and the conservative--Alabama--values that we believe in.

Finally, since my last report, I was honored to receive the endorsement of the State Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police organization in Alabama. It is a privilege to have the confidence and support of the FOP and its 8,700 members statewide. Having served on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals for so many years, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand what a great job that law enforcement officers across Alabama do in keeping the peace and in investigating and preparing their cases so that those who break our laws can be prosecuted and punished. To all of my law enforcement friends around the state, I thank you for what you do.

Well, this looks like a good place to sign off for now. Next week is a busy one, so I should have a lot more to report the next time around. Take care, and I'll see you on the campaign trail!

Greg

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